The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Ottawa is expanding its aid for the slumping forestry sector by providing $400-million in extra funding to help the industry diversify to markets beyond the United States. The Globe's Brent Jang writes that the extra funding includes $300-million under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative and $100-million in the new Regional Development Fund. Federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson made the announcement Wednesday in the Victoria suburb of Langford. The fresh funding is in addition to Ottawa's commitment last year to provide $2.35-billion in financial support for Canada's forestry industry, which was hit by new U.S. import taxes last fall. "There is clearly a crisis in this industry and, like the trade war, it's one that Canadians did not ask for but it's one we must collectively win by taking action to pivot, to grow, to modernize and diversify the forest products sector," Mr. Hodgson said during a news conference with B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar. Last year, the federal government announced $1.2-billion in loan guarantees to help lumber producers with their operations and $500-million in grants and contributions in a bid to find new overseas buyers.